The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the immediate arrest of those responsible for violent protest in KuGompo in the Eastern Cape, following protests over the coronation of an Igbo ‘ King’.
The party says those who instigated and took part in the violence must also be held financially liable for the damage caused during the chaos.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo condemned both the alleged coronation and the violence that followed. This comes after unrest broke out when some participants moved away from East London City Hall, where a petition was being handed over.
At least 12 vehicles were damaged and several buildings torched, although no injuries have been reported.
Thambo said declaring oneself a monarch without following legal processes is illegal and stressed that foreign nationals cannot assume kingship in South Africa. He added that government should have acted sooner to clarify the legal requirements around traditional leadership.
The party also criticised political actors accused of exploiting the situation and called for calm in affected communities.
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